Digital Commons Network^™

Use Of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy In A Nation-Wide Veterans Health Administration Sample: The Role Of Clinic, Therapist, And Patient Factors., Alan Mcguire, Mindy Flanagan, Madison E Stout, Jessica Coffing, Marina Kukla, Morgan Traylor, Laura Myers, Nancy Henry, Jessica Carter, Marianne Matthias

Health Services and Informatics Research

OBJECTIVE: To examine the use of CBT-CP (Cognitive-behavioral therapy for chronic pain) by CBT-CP-trained therapists to treat patients with pain over a five-year period (October 2015-February 2020).

DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: CBT-CP is a core evidence-based practice that is central to multidisciplinary chronic pain care. However, research suggests that CBT-CP is underused. The current study used national Veterans Health Administration data to examine the use of CBT-CP by CBT-CP-trained therapists to treat patients with pain over a five-year period.

STUDY DESIGN: Multilevel modeling was used to evaluate clinic, therapist, and patient-level factors as predictors of CBT-CP receipt.

DATA COLLECTION: …

Objective Phone Use During Time With One’S Partner: Associations With Relationship And Individual Well-Being, Brandon T. Mcdaniel Phd, Sabrina Uva, Victor P. Cornet, Michelle Drouin

Health Services and Informatics Research

When a person chooses to interact with their phone instead of their partner (e.g., technoference, phubbing), it may diminish interactional quality, relationship satisfaction, and well-being. However, much of the research on technology use in relationships has utilized self-reports. We extend prior work by objectively measuring smartphone use in a sample of 247 adult participants (75% women; mean age = 30.87 years) to better understand the extent of use around one’s partner and the connection between this use and relational and personal well-being. Participants completed an online baseline survey and 8 days of phone tracking and nightly time diaries. On average, …

Cultural Considerations And Efficacy Of Mindfulness-Based Practices For Hispanic/Latinx Immigrant Youth In Schools: A Systematized Review, Lisandra Artiles Suarez

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have gained attention as promising tools for improving student well-being, yet their effectiveness and cultural relevance for Hispanic/Latinx immigrant youth remain underexamined. This Systematized Review evaluates the current literature on school-based MBIs targeting this population, with a focus on their cultural considerations, efficacy, and participant acceptability. Using PRISMA guidelines, studies were identified across research databases and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria required that interventions involve mindfulness practices, take place in school settings, and include Hispanic/Latinx immigrant youth. Findings from the limited number of eligible studies suggest that mindfulness-based interventions may reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and trauma while …

Lipid Nanoparticle-Mediated Drug Delivery To Cns Targets, Purva Khare

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have revolutionized drug delivery, particularly in the delivery of gene silencing siRNA to the liver (Onpattro) and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna). It is no exaggeration to state that the LNP delivery technology has protected billions of vaccinated people against a severe COVID-19 infection and subsequent mortality. Despite extensive research on LNPs for hepatic and muscle delivery, their potential for brain drug delivery remains underexplored. Many neurological disorders lack effective treatments, making LNP-based approaches promising for crossing or targeting drug delivery to the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Brain endothelial cells (BECs), a key component of the BBB, play …

Popular Culture As Conduit: Navigating Integrated Marketing Communication In An Age Of Hyperconsumerism, Abbey N. Mccann

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the discipline and practice of integrated marketing communication, acknowledging the limitations inherent in analyzing a field deeply embedded in the structures of hyperconsumption. This inquiry adopts a constructive hermeneutic approach, interpreting the dialectical tensions that define integrated marketing communication. These tensions include that between commercial imperatives and cultural critiques, which are further complicated by the influence of popular culture and shifting political climates. As popular culture increasingly intersects with sociopolitical discourse, brands are compelled to navigate these dynamics publicly. This evolving landscape reshapes consumer perceptions and brand strategies, reinforcing integrated marketing communication’s role as both a cultural …

Density Functional Theory Modeling Of Heterogeneous Reactions Of Hydrocarbon Intermediates On Silicon Carbide: Surrogate Kinetic Model Development For Chemical Vapor Infiltration, Atal Bhowmik

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study investigates the decomposition mechanism of Methyl trichlorosilane during Silicon Carbide deposition from Chemical Vapor Infiltration to produce SiC-based ceramic matrix composites. High-performance applications require SiC-based materials; however, producing them presents difficulties due to limited deposition rates, high energy consumption, and uneven coatings. To overcome these challenges, the mechanism of SiC formation needed to be understood completely. Modeling surface reactions of decomposition on the substrate using Density Functional Theory is the key point of current research. By focusing on the adsorption, reaction, and desorption mechanisms that control SiC development, our method incorporates quantum mechanical models. Using Transition State Theory, …

Ai-Driven Uncertainty Quantification & Multi-Physics Approach To Evaluate Cladding Materials In A Microreactor, Alexander Foutch, Kazuma Kobayashi, Ayodeji Babatunde Alajo, Dinesh Kumar, Syed Bahauddin Alam

Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science Faculty Research & Creative Works

The pursuit of enhanced nuclear safety has spurred the development of accident-tolerant cladding (ATC) materials for light water reactors (LWRs). This study investigates the potential of repurposing these ATCs in advanced reactor designs, aiming to expedite material development and reduce costs. The research employs a multi-physics approach, encompassing neutronics, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and structural mechanics, to evaluate four candidate materials (Haynes 230, Zircaloy-4, FeCrAl, and SiC–SiC) within the context of a high-temperature, sodium-cooled microreactor, exemplified by the Kilopower design. While neutronic simulations revealed negligible power profile variations among the materials, finite element analyses highlighted the superior thermal stability of SiC–SiC …

Fouling Community Assessment On Anthropogenic Structures In Barnegat Bay, Nj: Who's Fouling With Our Lagoons?, Jesi Herterich

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Biofouling communities consist of both mobile and non-mobile species which settle and attach themselves to both natural and artificial substrata. With increased construction of lagoon communities and marinas in Barnegat Bay, NJ utilizing PVC material, it allows space for invasive and generalist species to recruit. This study examines the impacts of man-made structures and abiotic factors on the distribution of recruiting fouling organisms in coastal lagoon communities in Barnegat Bay, NJ. Polyvinyl chloride settling plates were deployed in late May of 2024. Settling plates were retrieved and replaced at one month intervals to assess monthly settlement patterns, while a second …

The Effects Of Overexpressing K2p Channels In Various Tissues On Physiology And Behaviors, Alaina C. Taul, Elizabeth R. Elliott, Douglas A. Harrison, Robin L. Cooper

Biology Faculty Publications

Two-pore-domain K⁺ channels (K2p), known previously as leak channels, are responsible for maintaining the resting membrane potential of cells. Fifteen subtypes are known to exist in humans and eleven are known in Drosophila melanogaster, as well as six subfamilies; however, little is known about the expression of these subtypes in various animal tissues or the impact of altered expression on cellular physiology. The Drosophila melanogaster model allows for selective misexpression of certain neuron subsets, providing insight into individual cell types and the animal’s physiology more generally. Prior research on the overexpression of K2p channels and the resulting behavioral and …

Information Technology Services Fy2025 - Winona State University, Minnesota, Information Technology Services-Winona State University

Information Technology Services Annual Reports

Information Technology Services (ITS) provides the technology-based foundation to support and empower the Winona State University (WSU) community to meet and exceed their educational and business needs. This is the ITS report for the fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025).

Research On The Use And Effects Of Freezing In Controlling Clothes Moth Infestations In A Contemporary Art Collection, Sara Thornburg

Art Conservation Master's Projects

This study investigates the efficacy and implications of low-temperature pest eradication— specifically freezing—as a method for managing clothes moth infestations in museum collections, with a focus on contemporary and composite artworks. Prompted by the evolving needs of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), this research explores current best practices, material vulnerabilities, and institutional approaches to freezing treatments. A literature review was conducted alongside a global survey of 40 museum professionals to assess how freezing protocols are implemented, what materials are considered safe, and what challenges arise in real world applications. Results show that while freezing remains a widely …

The Reverse Onus At Bail For Intimate Partner Violence: An Unconstitutional And Ineffective Measure, Ella Peterson

Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies

The recently adopted reverse onus at bail for repeat intimate partner violence is a piece of performative legislation that is ineffectual and may harm those it seeks to protect. Part I of this paper provides an overview of intimate partner violence in Canada in order to contextualize s. 515(6)(b.1) of the Criminal Code. Part II is a Charter assessment of the reverse onus provision at issue, focusing on sections 7 and 11(e). Part III concludes with a critique of the effectiveness of the reverse onus, which fails to address the root causes of intimate partner violence.

Canada's Foreign Fighter Problem: How Should The Federal Government Manage Suspected Isis Members Held In Syria?, Mira Stephenson

Dalhousie Journal of Legal Studies

Since the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) fell in 2019, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has arbitrarily detained tens of thousands of accused ISIS fighters and their families in Northern Syria. Among those detained are Canadian citizens. Although Canada has repatriated Canadian women and children from AANES custody, its policy approach to date has been inadequate.

Canada must take action to develop a cohesive policy for the approximately 17 Canadians remaining in AANES custody. In this paper, I will evaluate four potential policy options available to the Canadian government. First, that Canada could take …

Meaning In Occupational Therapy Practice: A Mixed Methods Study Exploring Perceived Meaning And Burnout In Occupational Therapists, Rebecca Lauren Reinhardt

Dissertations

Decreasing burnout and increasing retention of occupational therapists (OTs) is a pressing issue in the field as attrition rates and intention to leave the profession are on the rise. One of the core tenets of occupational therapy (OT) practice is supporting recipients with engaging in meaningful occupations to promote wellbeing. While burnout in the profession has been more widely researched, very little research has explored how OTs perceive meaning in their own practice. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to explore the lived experiences of how OTs perceive meaning and meaning gaps in the profession, as well as …

The Effects Of Childhood Trauma And The Ongoing Coronavirus-19 Pandemic On College Student’S Mental Health, School Performance, And Smartphone Usage, Shane Odiorne

Dissertations

Several individuals who attend post-secondary education have experienced at least one instance of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE). Those who experience significant ACEs in their lives are at risk for a number of negative mental health outcomes, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, or substance abuse problems, among others. Past studies have demonstrated that there is a potential mediating factor that leads to negative mental health stemming from ACEs. One of these mediating factors is psychological wellness, characterized by overall life satisfaction, resiliency, positive relationships, and self-acceptance. During times of uncertainty, the risk for exacerbating problems brought on by past trauma may …

Gender Identity Development In Social Virtual Reality: A Phenomenology, John Michael Sullivan Iii

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which trans and gender-diverse individuals engage with social virtual reality (VR), what kinds of experiences they have on social VR platforms, and how their experiences translate into gender identity exploration, expression, and development. Inquiry was driven by two primary research questions: (a) What are the experiences of trans and gender diverse individuals in social VR platforms and (b) How do trans and gender diverse individuals use social VR to develop and to express their gender identities? This study utilized a qualitative and phenomenological methodology that was guided by a …

Emerging Adulthood, Identity Conflict, And Self-Compassion’S Impact On Mental Health Interference Of Collegiate Student-Athletes, Courtney Amber Shields

Dissertations

Prior research identified a strong connection between experiences of being a collegiate student-athlete with mental health-related struggles; however, little research has been conducted into how the competing identities of student and athlete within a heavy identity developmental period (emerging adulthood) might be impacting mental-health interference. The purpose of this quantitative study was to understand how emerging adulthood, student identity, athletic identity, and the conflicting role of student-athlete identity had in mental health interference on training, competition, and willingness to see a sports psychologist within collegiate student-athletes as well as how self-compassion moderated these relationships. The following research questions guided this …

Supporting Cultural Capital In Undergraduate Biology: Instructor Roles And Practices, Lydia Nicole Mayo

Dissertations

Undergraduate biology students must navigate complex academic environments that require more than content mastery alone. Increasing evidence shows that students’ attitudes, beliefs, and values—such as motivation, confidence, and a sense of belonging—are critical to student engagement, persistence, and success, especially among first-generation college students and those from historically marginalized backgrounds. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation is to use cultural capital theory to explore how instructor practices in college biology classrooms support these non-content resources, framed as three forms of cultural capital: aspirational, navigational, and emotional capital for college biology.

To investigate this phenomenon, the dissertation integrates three complementary studies. …

A Moderation Analysis Of The Relationships Between Burnout, Internalizing Symptoms, And Self-Care, Alexandra Mccorkle Ryan

Dissertations

Amidst growing awareness of burnout among school psychologists, self-care has been suggested as an essential practice for managing the emotionally and psychologically taxing elements of the job. Indeed, self-care has been included in the American Psychological Association’s list of professional competencies for health service psychologists (HSPs) in training. Mitigating burnout is an important objective, however, the current conceptualization of burnout as a problem that can be managed by an individual alone is inaccurate. Rather, burnout is a product of an occupational system in which job demands outweigh job resources. Furthermore, burnout can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety and depression. While self-care …

Undergraduate Faculty Experiences With Test Remediation, Shauna L. Haynes

Dissertations

Nursing students’ success in didactic courses generally depends on test scores. Students who fail to achieve a designated score might fail the test and/or the course. Test remediation is an intervention that could be implemented in response to a student’s failure. The intent of test remediation is to improve the student’s success on future exams and maximize the likelihood of progression. While remediation for success on the National Council Licensure Examination, standardized exams, and for the achievement of clinical skills were well documented, little research was found on test remediation for individual course exams. The purpose of this study was …

Through Their Eyes: A Photovoice Study Of Mental Health And Well-Being Among Rural-Dwelling Latina Adolescents, Ashley Marie Coburn

Dissertations

Latina adolescents are more prone to depressive symptoms, less likely to receive mental health services, and face higher rates of suicidality compared to their non-White peers. This population becomes more vulnerable to adverse outcomes when their problems are compounded by barriers to mental health care common in rural communities such as limited resources, stigmatization, and systemic inequities related to race/ethnicity, income, and insurance status. Despite Latinx youth representing the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in rural areas across the United States, there is limited research on the distinct factors shaping mental health outcomes for this population. Guided by an …

Integrating Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion Into An Undergraduate Sport And Exercise Science Program: A Holistic Case Study Utilizing Social Justice Education, Genevieve R. Altomare

Dissertations

It has been recommended by many scholars to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) content into higher education curricula across disciplines; however, several institutions have yet to do so. The ongoing discourse surrounding social justice continues to influence the careers of future professionals, especially in the fields of sport and exercise science. Yet, there remains a limited understanding of the perceptions and experiences of students who have participated in a college course centered on DEI topics. Therefore, the purpose of this holistic case study was to provide an in-depth examination of a newly developed DEI course by exploring the authentic …

Reinforcement Learning And Virtual Human Animation: A Novel Approach To Data-Driven Animation, Portraying Dynamic, Flexible Human-Like Behaviours, Vihanga Gamage

Dissertations

Virtual characters require animation capable of portraying dynamic, context-sensitive human-like behaviours. Several approaches to generating such animation have been developed, but each carries limitations. Motion capture can produce high-fidelity animation but is expensive and ill-suited to systems that must respond in real time. Physics-based reinforcement learning (RL) enables flexible, dynamic behaviour portrayal, yet relies on simulation feedback signals that are unavailable for social gestures. Supervised approaches can learn social behaviours from motion capture data but yield agents with limited flexibility and generalisation.

This thesis presents RLAnimate, a model-based, data-driven RL framework for character animation that enables a single agent to …

Comparative Phylogeography Of Three Widely Distributed Amazonian Poison Frogs, Sofia Del Milagro Granados Martinez

Theses

Amazonia has gone through extensive changes in its climates, geology, hydrology and drainage systems over the past 10 mya; these processes have been postulated as key drivers of diversification. Contrary to the trend where species once broadly distributed are subdivided into several species with restricted distributions, many taxa span the Amazon basin without noticeable genetic differentiation. In my thesis, I studied the phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns of three widely distributed Amazonian poison frogs: Ameerega hahneli, Ameerega trivittata and Ranitomeya variabilis. I examined phylogenetic relationships based on two different types of genomic data—nuclear and mitochondrial—and I carried out population structure analyses. …

How Are Teachers Leading Now? From Access To Activism: An Introduction To The Special Issue, Kaavonia Hinton, Jori S. Beck

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

In this introduction to a special issue on teacher leadership (TL), the editors argue that recent attacks against antiracist teaching have influenced TL. Thus, we offer an overview of several issues these collected authors explore related to TL, including access to TL for teachers of color; advancing equity through leadership teams; self-care for teacher advocates; and TL as advocacy, activism, and antiracist work.

Ai-Enhanced Structured Literacy Intervention For Secondary Students: A Case Study Of Science Of Reading, Jennifer Bird

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

This study examines the effectiveness of Lexia PowerUp, an AI-powered literacy program, for sixth-grade students requiring Tier 3 reading intervention. Seven sixth-grade students (six boys, one girl; five African American, two Caucasian; all qualifying for free/reduced lunch) participated in a six-month intervention combining 50 minutes of daily small-group instruction with individualized Lexia PowerUp usage. Researchers measured progress through Achieve 3000 Lexile assessments and Lexia PowerUp performance data across three skill strands: Word Study, Grammar, and Comprehension. All participants demonstrated Lexile level improvements from beginning-of-year to mid-year assessments, though students remained below sixth-grade benchmarks (925-1070L). Analysis of Lexia PowerUp progression showed …

Use Of Infrared Spectroscopy In Animal Studies: Aspects Of Health Science, Brian Manzanares

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Non-invasive imaging technologies, such as infrared thermography (IRT), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) are revolutionizing the field of animal research by enabling real-time, stress-free assessment of physiological conditions. Such methods like these are align with the ethical standards of the 3Rs, replacement, reduction, and refinement-by reducing the need of invasive procedures while enhancing data quality and animal welfare. These methods can also provide critical insight into animal health, behavior, and stress responses without the need for invasive procedures or restraint, thereby minimizing harm and distress. This literature review will explore the practical applications of IRT, NIRS, and …

The Role Of Nicotine In Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases, Jacquelyn T. Deaton

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

Neurodegenerative diseases have emerged as a critical medical challenge because they cause progressive neuronal death alongside structural or functional deterioration. Families, healthcare institutions, and affected individuals face significant challenges due to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, which impair both cognitive function and motor abilities. Researchers have found that nicotine in tobacco products is a compound with therapeutic potential. This literature review explores how nicotine interacts with neurodegenerative mechanisms, such as oxidative stress and inflammation, and assesses its potential neuroprotective effects in conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. In the central nervous system, nicotine binds to the …

Autoregressive Temporal Modeling For Advanced Tracking-By-Diffusion, Pha Nguyen, Rishi Madhok, Bhiksha Raj, Khoa Luu

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Object tracking is a widely studied computer vision task with video and instance analysis applications. While paradigms such as tracking-by-regression,-detection,-attention have advanced the field, generative modeling offers new potential. Although some studies explore the generative process in instance-based understanding tasks, they rely on prediction refinement in the coordinate space rather than the visual domain. Instead, this paper presents Tracking-by-Diffusion, a novel paradigm for object tracking in video, leveraging visual generative models via the perspective of autoregressive models. This paradigm demonstrates broad applicability across point, box, and mask modalities while uniquely enabling textual guidance. We present DIFTracker, a framework that utilizes …

A Qualitative Interpretative Meta-Analysis Of The Experiences Of Women Under Community Supervision, Gifty Kinful

Research Papers

Research reveals that women parolees or probationers encounter both challenges and support systems as they navigate their reintegration into the community. More specifically, most women returning from prison and those on probation are released into a society of stigma where access to housing, employment, education, transportation, and healthcare services is either severely limited or nonexistent. These serious obstacles can undermine their ability, motivation, and desire to succeed while on probation or parole. Support systems may be more or less available and effective. The qualitative literature on women under community supervision is large but to our knowledge, the diverse studies have …